2011 U.S. Census Bureau data 24 million children, 33% of children in America live apart from their biological fathers This was at 11% in 1960 Source: www.fatherhood.org

63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes U.S. Data 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes

80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes U.S. Data 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes

71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes U.S. Data 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes

Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of school. U.S. Data - Father Factor in Education Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of school.

U.S. Data - Father Factor in Education Children with Fathers who are involved are 40% less likely to repeat a grade in school.

U.S. Data - Father Factor in Education Children with Fathers who are involved are 70% less likely to drop out of school.

U.S. Data - Father Factor in Education Children with Fathers who are involved are more likely to get A’s in school.

U.S. Data - Father Factor in Education Children with Fathers who are involved are more likely to enjoy school and engage in extracurricular activities.

spends 2 minutes a day in meaningful dialogue with his dad U.S. Data – In the Church average teen in church spends 2 minutes a day in meaningful dialogue with his dad - Josh McDowell, The Dad Difference, 1990.

U.S. Data – In the Church 25% of these teens say they have never had a meaningful conversation with their father-a talk centered on the teens' interests. - Josh McDowell, The Dad Difference, 1990.

Where are the fathers?

Marriage was designed by God, so also the family.

Everything God designed, was intended to be an expression of who He is.

Marriage and family is designed by God for us to experience and express who God is - His love, joy, mercy, kindness, etc.

“Marriage may be the closest thing to Heaven or Hell any of us will know on this earth.” - Edwin Louis Cole

Marriage and fatherhood is a calling and a ministry.

A husband and father is called by God to love, provide, care, guide, nurture and protect his family, as an expression of God, who is the ultimate Husband and Father.

#1, To Love Ephesians 5:25,28,29 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

#1, To Love Ephesians 5:25,28,29 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

#1, To Love “The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” - Edwin Louis Cole

#1, To Love Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

#1, To Love Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

#2, PROVIDE 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

#3, CARE Care - when your wife or children are hurting, wounded, weak, discouraged, etc. speak life, encouragement, hope and faith into them.

#3, CARE Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Guide - in the ways of God, impart wisdom to make right choices, etc.

#4, GUIDE Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

#4, GUIDE “A father's responsibility is not to make the child's decisions, but to let the child watch him make his.” - Edwin Louis Cole

Nurture - mold, raise up, equip, train, develop their potential

Encourage your wife to pursue God's call on her life. #5, NURTURE Encourage your wife to pursue God's call on her life.

#5, NURTURE Encourage your children to discover God's gifts and calling in them and to pursue God's call on their lives.

What is important to them must become important to you. #5, NURTURE What is important to them must become important to you.

Protect - from wrong, negative influences. This will include being strict about certain things and establishing boundaries.

#7, DO IT WITH GOD We as men, realize that we cannot do these unless we ourselves as individuals are submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and walk a life yielded to Him.

#7, DO IT WITH GOD “To the degree that you become a good son to God, you become a good father to your children.” - Edwin Louis Cole

#7, DO IT WITH GOD We need God's empowering and training in our lives to be the kind of husband and father He has called us to be.

There is a proper order in God's calling and ministry. #7, DO IT WITH GOD There is a proper order in God's calling and ministry.

When order is broken, it brings chaos and confusion. #7, DO IT WITH GOD When order is broken, it brings chaos and confusion. Often the simple solution to remove chaos and confusion is to restore order.

#7, DO IT WITH GOD Malachi 4:5,6 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

For The Fatherless 2 Corinthians 6:18 18“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Psalm 27:10 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

For The Fatherless Psalm 68:5 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

What Will Your Son / Daughter Remember You For? Proverbs 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

How good A Father Do You Perceive Yourself To Be? The Unites States Department of Vital Statistics published a report titled: "Fathers’ Involvement With Their Children: United States, 2006–2010" -National Health Statistics Reports, Number 71, December 20, 2013

What is your response to His Call?

A husband and father is called by God to love, provide, care, guide, nurture and protect his family, as an expression of God, who is the ultimate Husband and Father.